NFL Draft 2027 Projections Position Houston Texans at Number One With Jeremiah Smith
The NFL Draft 2027 order and early mock draft projections place the Houston Texans in the pole position for the top selection, according to a league coverage update published on October 4, 2026. Following the conclusion of Week 4, teams struggling through difficult 0-4 or 1-3 starts are currently positioned at the top of the drafting board for the late-April event.
Provisional Order After Week Four
At the bottom of the early standings, three franchises share an 0-4 record to sit at the very head of the provisional draft order: the Houston Texans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Tennessee Titans. Right behind them with 0-3 marks are the Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders, the New York Jets, and the Arizona Cardinals hold 1-3 records, while the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons round out the initial top ten at 1-2.
The broader draft order extends through the remaining first-round slots, featuring teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs, alongside several traded picks held by the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
Top Five Mock Draft Projections
The updated mock draft outlines distinct early scenarios for the five opening selections. Holding the provisional number one choice, the Houston Texans are projected to select wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Recognized as a generational talent, Smith is favored for the top spot despite Houston potentially evaluating quarterback options. His early five-game statistics feature 44 receptions for 823 yards and nine touchdowns.
At number two, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are slated to bolster their pass rush by selecting edge rusher Colin Simmons. Simmons recorded 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss across his first four games. The Tennessee Titans hold the third provisional pick and are projected to pass on a quarterback to draft cornerback Leonard Moore instead, aiming to reinforce their secondary.
The Los Angeles Chargers occupy the fourth spot in the early projections, lined up to add wide receiver Cam Coleman to support quarterback Justin Herbert. Rounding out the top five, the Miami Dolphins are projected to select quarterback Arch Manning, marking an early high-profile investment at the position.
Early Season Results Shape Projected Draft Board
Early-season results continue to shape the projected draft board as teams play their 17-game regular season schedules. The Houston Texans enter the draft conversation following a high-scoring loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped a home matchup against the Green Bay Packers while playing without Baker Mayfield. In contrast, the New York Giants lead the NFC East, and the Cleveland Browns sit in the thick of the AFC North race as the autumn schedule progresses.
